The Subjunctive

A few examples I want you to give me $5. Tom would like us to arrive before 5:00 am. I order you to stop! In these three examples, one person is trying to get another person to perform an action.

I want you to give me $5. One person (I) wants another person (you) to do something (give $5). However, there is no guarantee that you will give me $5 just because I want you to.

Tom would like us to arrive before 5:00 am. Likewise, one person (Tom) wants someone else (us) to do something (arrive before 5:00 am). There is no guarantee that we will do so just because Tom would like that.

I order you to stop! This sentence is more forceful: one person (I) is telling another person (you) to do something (stop). Again, we don’t know if you will stop despite the admonition.

The subjunctive In Spanish, we use a special verb form to show that the completion of these actions – give, arrive, stop – may or may not occur. This form is called the subjunctive (like the word “subjective” – influenced by opinions).

Notice… … that the subject in the first half is always different from the subject in the second half: Quiero que me des $5. Tom quiere que lleguemos... Te mando que pares. The first subject is trying to spur the second subject into action, and we don’t know if the action will ever happen.

Compare this… … to sentences where there is no change in subject: Quiero salir ahora. Tom quiere llegar a las 5. Me gustaría comer pizza. When the subject is the same, there is higher probability that the second action will take place. We use the infinitive (-r form of the verb) after verbs that express wishes, wants, and desires.

Let’s practice! What are the appropriate subjunctive forms of the verbs in parentheses? Quiero que tú _____ (comprar) una tele. Quiero que tú compres una tele. We use the subjunctive because there is a change in subject after a verb of desire (quiero).

¡Quiero que me des otro! Mi profe quiere que nosotros ______ (estudiar) Mis padres quieren que yo (trabajar) mucho. Mi profe quiere que nosotros estudiemos. Mis padres quieren que yo trabaje mucho.

Uno más… Espero [I hope] que tu hermana ____ ( comprender) la situación. Espero que tu hermana comprenda la situación. We use the subjunctive after different types of verbs – wishes, wants, and orders. Here is another type: hopes. We use the subjunctive because we aren’t sure whether the second action will occur (Will your sister understand the situation) That remains to be seen!).

U. W. E. I. R. D. O. Here’s an acronym to help you organize the major uses of the subjunctive: U. W. E. I. R. D. O. Thanks to members of the FLTEACH listserv for this acronym. One list member credits the series “Sing, Dance, Laugh, and Eat Tacos” – you might want to check it out!

U. W. E. I. R. D. O. Uncertainty: No creo [I don’t believe] que Laura venga a la fiesta. No pienso que pueda venir. Tal vez [perhaps] llegue tarde hoy por el tráfico.

U. W. E. I. R. D. O. Wishes Quiero que tú puedas visitarme durante las vacaciones.

U. W. E. I. R. D. O. Emotion Me alegro que hayas recibido una “A” en la clase de historia. Me enfada [it angers me] que Juan no trabaje más en este proyecto.

U. W. E. I. R. D. O. Impersonal expressions Es ridículo que Gloria sea la presidenta del club de alemán – ella recibió una “D-” en su clase el semestre pasado. Impersonal expressions don’t have a “human” subject. Some impersonal expressions in Spanish include: es bueno, es malo, es necesario, es difícil, es imposible, es triste…

U. W. E. I. R. D. O. Regret Lo siento que tu abuela esté enferma. Lamento que no podamos asistir a la reunión.

U. W. E. I. R. D. O. Doubt Dudo que alguien sea capaz de sacar un 100% en el examen final de física – ¡es un curso muy difícil!

U. W. E. I. R. D. O. Order Te mando que pares. Te prohibo que uses tus apuntes [notes] durante el examen.

Wow! That’s a lot!! If you continue your studies in Spanish, you will be certain to see these uses and many others. But for now, just concentrate on wishes and desires!